Town budget on track, but water budget running low

Ken Johnston

Rainy River Town Council met Thursday instead of Monday last week to hold its first meeting of the new year.
Council also had a special meeting earlier in the day to discuss the situation with Clerk Administrator Deb Bowman. The meeting was opened and then went in camera with legal counsel present. No motions came from the meeting and council was not at liberty to divulge any details at the time.
At the regular meeting council learned that the new (used) fire truck ordered did not come with hoses. It turns out the department that had it kept them, but they would not have worked here due to Quebec having different threading than Ontario. So council passed a motion to buy new hoses for it at a cost of $7,525 plus taxes.
Council also learned that the truck’s controls were all marked in French as the truck is from Quebec. All the controls are being remarked. The truck is at Stratton Equipment and will soon be delivered to Rainy River Fire Dept.
Other business
•Council purchased a snow bucket from Stratton Equipment at a cost of $1,278 plus taxes.
•Finance committee chairman Brent Anderson reported that the town budget for 2005 was right on target and noted that they did not have to dip into $14,000 in reserves as they had anticipated. He also reported that the Sewer budget is right on track but the Water budget is in a deficit position. For that reason he asked the bylaw committee to look over recommendations to raise water rates again. “It has to be user pay,” said Anderson referring to provincial rules.
•Council was offered a seat in Washington, DC on hearings regarding US plans to make passports mandatory for all travellers entering the US. Mayor Armstrong said he would refer it to the Chamber.
•Council passed a borrowing bylaw to borrow up to $300,000 to cover expenses until tax revenues start coming in for 2006.
•Council approved a minor variance for Mark Nault’s Main St. property (formerly RR Convenience) to allow him and his family to use the entire building for a residence.